Carver has an extraordinary talent.

He is able to take the ordinary and make it profound.

His skill lies in dissecting normal life and presenting it in a fragmented and ragged manner.

In his works, there is not only drama and nuance but also a sense of menace.

What's more, he accomplishes all of this with a fantastic minimalist voice.

If you are a fan of Carver, it would be a great idea to check out Andre Dubus.

His works may also offer you a similar experience of exploring the depths of human nature and the complexity of life.

You might be surprised by the new perspectives and emotions that Dubus's writing can bring to you.

So, don't hesitate to give it a try and expand your literary horizons.

After reading "Popular Mechanics," I have come to realize that I have the ability to appreciate Raymond Carver's works. However, it is unfortunate that none of the stories in this particular collection managed to capture my attention in the same way that one story did. Each story in the collection has its own unique charm and style, but for some reason, they just didn't have the same impact on me. Perhaps it was the way the stories were written, or maybe it was my own personal taste. Nevertheless, I still believe that Raymond Carver is a talented writer, and I look forward to reading more of his works in the future.

I thought when I spotted this book at the library, it looked familiar.

Two stories into it, and I was like, "Yep, I remember reading this, but I know I didn't finish it."

It was okay. There was nothing particularly outstanding about it that would make me write a screaming review. Although, truth be told, I very rarely write one anyways.

I'm always too anxious to start the next book. I feel like I have no time to waste! There are so many books out there waiting for me to explore, and I can't wait to get to the next one.

This book was just an okay read, but it didn't really capture my attention or make me want to rave about it. Maybe someone else would have a different opinion, but for me, it was just another book on the shelf.

Oh well, on to the next one!

It's truly fascinating to peruse what a filmmaker selected from Carver's stories.

These particular Carver stories are among the most intensely dramatic ones I'm acquainted with. They are rife with elements such as death, adultery, brawls in bars, rape, murder, and abandoned dogs.

Nobody, for instance, just sits around a table for an extremely long period getting drunk and chatting about love. However, they are indeed great.

Moreover, it has been such a long time since I last saw the movie that I couldn't remember who portrayed which character, nor did I become frustrated with the liberties that were taken.

Perhaps there is a hint of Lyle Lovett in the baker who continuously calls the bereaved parents of the birthday boy, but I'm not going to gripe about that.

Overall, it's an interesting exploration of how a filmmaker interprets and adapts Carver's powerful stories.

Oh… well, I’ve read 20 books this year and this was the last one.

It’s been quite a reading journey. Each book has offered its own unique perspective and has contributed to my growth and knowledge.

This final book, in particular, had a certain charm that kept me engaged from start to finish.

The story was captivating, the characters were well-developed, and the writing style was流畅.

As I turned the last page, I felt a sense of accomplishment and a bit of sadness that this reading adventure had come to an end.

However, I’m already looking forward to the next book that will grace my bookshelf and take me on another exciting literary exploration.

Reading has truly become a passion of mine, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds in terms of the wonderful stories and ideas that I’ll encounter through the written word.

Incredible collection.

I'm truly amazed by this compilation. I'm not entirely sure if I'll watch the film adaptation, but I must say that almost every story within this collection is simply terrific in its own unique way.

My two absolute favourites are “A Small Good Thing” and “Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?” The manner in which Carver portrays betrayal and grief is truly remarkable.

Just like with Munro's works, you can vividly hear the characters speaking in these stories, and within just a few pages, you get a profound sense of their entire lives.

You get to know about their dreams, the disappointments that have shattered them, and the boredom that sometimes plagues them.

The claustrophobia of family life makes an appearance a couple of times, but usually, the underlying strain is related to financial difficulties or alcoholism.

Moreover, infidelity seems to be yet another response to a loss of agency.

I'm so excited to delve deeper and read more of his captivating stories!!!

The one story that particularly got through to me was "Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?".

This story had a profound impact on me. It delved into the complex emotions and relationships of the characters in a way that was both relatable and thought-provoking.

The author's use of vivid descriptions and engaging dialogue made it easy for me to envision the scenes and understand the characters' motives.

As I read, I found myself empathizing with the main character and his struggles. The story also raised important questions about communication, respect, and the importance of listening to others.

Overall, "Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?" was a powerful and moving story that left a lasting impression on me. It made me reflect on my own relationships and how I communicate with those around me. I would highly recommend this story to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read.

Clean writing, where the environments, the clothes, the behaviors say much more than many words.

A book received as a gift. Highly appreciated.

Recommended.

"The art of writing" by Carver also intrigues me.

Clean writing has a unique charm. It doesn't rely on excessive verbiage but uses the details of the environment, the description of clothes, and the portrayal of behaviors to convey profound meanings.

The book I received as a gift is a prime example of this. Its clean writing style makes it a pleasure to read.

I highly recommend it to others who appreciate good literature.

Additionally, Carver's "The art of writing" has piqued my curiosity. I'm eager to explore his insights and techniques on the craft of writing.

I believe it will provide valuable inspiration and guidance for my own writing endeavors.

Overall, clean writing and Carver's works have left a lasting impression on me, and I look forward to further exploring their worlds.

Well, here it is. It's time to write my 600th review for Goodreads.

Yesterday, as I boarded an airplane bound for home, I realized I had 2 special books in my carry-on: Yehuda Amichai's Even a Fist Was Once an Open Palm with Fingers and Raymond Carver's Short Cuts.

I knew that during the 4-hour flight, I would finish both books and then wonder whose review would be more significant. What I didn't realize at the time was that I'd be able to bring both of my new favorite writers into the same review.

But, believe it or not. When I got to page 91 and read Mr. Amichai's poem "We Have Done Our Duty," I felt he had almost written my review of Ray Carver's 9 short stories for me.

The poem goes: "We did our duty, we arranged our lives in flowerbeds and shadows and straight paths, pleasant for walking, like the garden of a mental hospital. Our despair is domesticated and gives us peace, only the hopes have remained, wild hopes, their screams shatter the night and rip up the day."

Two independent works, twenty years apart in their creation, communicating the same thing. Our ordinary lives, our pursuit of peace, our desire to do good and be happy are often accompanied by our violence and screams in the background.

Robert Altman, the renowned director who adapted some of Carver's work into his famous film of the same name, Short Cuts, echoes this sentiment in his introduction to this collection.

He writes: "I read all of Ray's writings, filtering him through my own process. The film is made of little pieces of his work that form sections of scenes and characters out of the most basic elements of Ray's creations—new but not new."

No. Living, loving, suffering, fucking, killing, being killed, dying. None of it is new. But Ray Carver's take on it, in his spare, tight, edgy prose, is always fresh, no matter when you first discover it.

I was reading 80% of this particular compilation (a tie-in promotion with Altman's movie) for the first time on an airplane. And let me tell you. If you've never read "A Small, Good Thing" before, I highly recommend it. It's one of the most harrowing short stories I've ever read. I was actually sobbing uncontrollably into the window on the airplane, embarrassed that I had read such a thing in public.

The young woman next to me, who was practically sitting on my lap, looked up at me suspiciously from the game on her phone, wondering why a book would make a person cry.

After I regained control of my embarrassing hiccups and sobs, I thought to myself: Who intentionally gets on an airplane without a book? Then I laughed at my own realization: Ray Carver's characters. That's who.

Five stars, baby. You're the master, Ray.

Favorite story: 'A small, good thing'.

Among the stories that I had already read, my experience mainly consisted of recognition. I did not have the feeling that they were working again for the second time.

This story, however, was different. It had a certain charm that drew me in from the very beginning. The simplicity of the plot and the characters made it all the more relatable.

The small, good thing that occurred in the story had a profound impact on the lives of the characters. It was a reminder that even the tiniest of gestures can have a significant effect.

As I read through the story, I found myself reflecting on my own life and the small, good things that I had experienced. It made me appreciate the little moments that often go unnoticed.

In conclusion, 'A small, good thing' is a story that will stay with me for a long time. It has taught me the importance of looking for the good in every situation and the power of a simple act of kindness.

I was reading Raymond Carver by the pool bar, just like a lady.

His writing is perfectly simple yet intricate. It's truly remarkable how he can convey so much with such seemingly straightforward words.

As I was engrossed in his stories, it made me think of what Shirley Jackson said about every detail having an explicit purpose in the story.

Carver's works are a prime example of this. Each word, each sentence, seems to be carefully chosen and placed to create a specific effect.

It's as if he is painting a vivid picture in the reader's mind with the simplest of strokes.

His stories often deal with the ordinary, the everyday lives of people, but he manages to find the extraordinary within them.

By the pool bar, with the gentle breeze and the sound of the water lapping, I was completely immersed in the world of Raymond Carver, and it was a truly wonderful experience.

Short Cuts: Selected Stories by Raymond Carver is a remarkable collection.

Published in 1993 to accompany the Robert Altman film of the same name, it offers a diverse range of short stories.

The film, also a 1993 American comedy-drama directed by Altman, was inspired by nine of Carver's short stories and a poem.

Set in Los Angeles instead of the Pacific Northwest of Carver's original stories, it follows the actions of 22 principal characters, both in parallel and with occasional loose connections.

The role of chance and luck is central, and many stories deal with themes of death and infidelity.

Carver, an acclaimed American writer, is considered by some a minimalist and by others a realist.

In his stories, not much happens externally, or what does happen is often beyond the control of the characters.

Perhaps this is why many of his stories haven't been made into films yet.

He is a narrator of the loneliness and emptiness of modern human beings.

Not a political writer, his stories take place in a space where people have little to do with concepts like government and politics.

His characters are often unfortunate souls who have passed through a cycle of false happiness.

The story "People Like That Are the Only People Here" in this collection makes a subtle and almost imperceptible reference to politics.

The rest of the stories in the collection are simple accounts of life, perhaps why they resonate so strongly.

Overall, Short Cuts: Selected Stories is a must-read for fans of Carver and those interested in exploring the human condition through short fiction.